Cup dream over for FCA

FC Augsburg’s cup dream ended, as they lost 3-1 to a dominant FC Bayern München in the second round of the DFB Cup. Dong-Won Ji scored the consolation effort for FCA. Dirk Schuster made two changes to the side that lost to SC Freiburg. Georg Teigl came in for captain Paul Verhaegh. Dominik Kohr also returned to the starting eleven after his injury. Julian Günther-Schmidt was also a new addition to the squad, after he made his Bundesliga debut at the weekend. There were still plenty of people still making their to their seats before the game burst into life. Just two minutes into the encounter Philip Lahm made the most of Bayern’s first attack, firing a precise shot into the bottom corner of Marwin Hitz’s goal. Playing in their neon-yellow away strip, Augsburg didn’t let their heads drop after the early goal and defended solidly against Carlo Ancelotti’s side. There were a lack of clear chances for both teams, although Thomas Müller (12’) and Thiago (19’) tried efforts from range. When Augsburg did get forward, it was usually down the right-hand side through Georg Teilen, who looked a threat. As time went on, Bayern became a lot more comfortable on the ball and forced FCA to retreat into their own half more and more. Despite the increase in possession, however, Bayern still couldn’t create clear opportunities and rarely threatened Marwin Hitz’s goal. Shortly before half-time, the home side then made their superiority count. First, Tiago missed the FCA right-hand post by centimetres (40’), before an unmarked Julian Green headed home Thomas Müller’s cross (41’). Marwin Hitz still needed to show his quality before the break, as he reacted quickly and prevented a 3-0 deficit with his left hand (44’). FC Augsburg came out a lot more sharp after the break and were awarded a penalty in the 48th minute, after Mats Hummels brought down Gojko Kacar. Ja-Cheol Koo stepped up, but Manuel Neuer guessed the right away, diving to his left to save the spot-kick. Daniel Baier had a chance to score from the rebound, but fired wide (49’). Shortly afterwards, FC Bayern München were awarded a penalty of the game, after referee Sascha Stegemann was certain of a Georg Teigl handball in the box. However, Thomas Müller also missed his spot-kick, firing over the bar (57’). Seven minutes later, Marwin Hitz again had the upper-hand over Müller, saving a dangerous effort from 25 yards out (64’). FCA then moved on to the front foot, with Koo playing a ball through to his fellow countryman Dong-Won Ji, who made a good run into the home side’s box. The South Korean then hammered a left-footed effort home, after getting the better of Jerome Boateng. Manuel Neuer was hopeless to defend the strike as Ji pulled one back (69’). Ji’s goal gave Dirk Schuster’s side renewed confidence, who continued to be brave going forward. In extra-time, Bayern then took advantage of Augsburg’s decision to commit men forward. Second-half substitute David Alaba ensured the home side would be progressing to the next round after firing the ball past Hitz to make it 3-1 (90+3’).